So I eventually got round to taking my test and passed it yesterday. Shame about the weather, it stayed dry for the test (thank god) but then pissed it down the rest of the day so I had to wait till this morning to take my bike out for the first time.

Had a nice little run out (bout 50 miles) and I'm loving it! Shame the misses isn't at work today as I've had to come home for the afternoon!

Now I'm riding i'm sure you'll all be hearing more from me and might even see me out and about. I'll be the bloke on the red XJ600N!

Congratulations TQ, now the challenge is to take things easy for a couple of years. Use this time to hone your riding skills and keep your licence clean.

Here's to many happy miles of trouble free biking.

Well done, Mate! If you are out with more experienced mates, ride to your abilities and don't try and keep up. If they are good mates, they will understand and compensate for you. This is the advice I gave to my lad when he started riding. Learn at your own speed and most of all ENJOY it.......(Flies in ya teeth)

now be very careful for two years if you get six points they take away your license and you have to sit the whole lot again.

When you go on a ride out with a group they should all ride at the slowest riders pace..If they don't they are not worth riding with. They usually have a back marker who knows the route and the faster riders wait up a few miles ahead.